* Chapter seven – No POV *

Relief crossed Matt's face as Gordo, Lizzie, and Miranda went into his sister's room. To him, they were like living extensions of his parents – always telling him what to do, never listening to him… lying. Oh yeah, that one happened a lot, especially on Lizzie's part.

Gordo was okay, though. Matt scrunched up his face, wondering why Gordo would want to be friends with Lizzie. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. There was no explanation.

Smiling evilly, Matt wrung his hands, cackling maniacally.

"No one sleeps soundly when Matt McGuire is on the loose!" Laughing, he turned around to go up to his room, when he heard his mother's voice.

"Hello?" She asked, waiting for a second, "hello? Is anyone there?"

Matt ran under his mom's arm and grabbed the phone, mouthing, 'its Lanny.' Jo turned to her husband as Matt ran up the stairs, talking excitedly into the silent phone.

"What is wrong with that boy?" Jo asked, giving Sam a sidelong look.

"Who? Matt or Lanny?"

Jo rolled her eyes and took a sip of the coffee her husband handed her, "Lanny."

Sam shrugged, "beats me. He's a smart one though."

Jo laughed and ran her finger absentmindedly on the rim of the cup. She looked thoughtful for a moment and smiled at Sam in a melancholy way. She sighed and adjusted her glasses.

"Lizzie's growing up too fast, isn't she Sam?" Tears were in her eyes now. Sam nodded, placing a hand on her arm.

"Yeah, way too fast. But you know what? She's a good kid; she won't get any trouble."

"I know," Jo sighed, "but, can she protect herself from the world?"

"Jo, don't worry too much about it. Miranda will stick up for her." Sam said, comforting his wife.

Jo smiled and brushed a lock of blonde hair from her face, "Gordo too. Don't forget him. He's such a great guy – very sweet."

Sam nodded, but a strange look crossed his face. Jo noticed this, and glanced at her husband in confusion.

"Sam, what's wrong?"

"Gordo – he's a boy."

"Of course he is, Sam," Jo said with a laugh and a bemused look, "what's wrong with that?"

Sam went red in embarrassment, "I didn't mean it like that… it's just…"

"What, Sam?" Jo said in exasperation.

"…I don't know. Just worried about my little girl, I guess."

Jo smiled and kissed Sam on the cheek, "I know how you feel. It's weird, isn't it? When I was Lizzie's age, I would get annoyed if my mother got worried about me. I remember, before the prom… "She trailed off," but that's not the point. We're parents, it's in our job description to worry."

"I don't remember signing anything," Sam joked, smiling. Jo grinned and continued.

"And, don't worry about Gordo. He's a good kid. He's very protective of Lizzie, to say the least," she said, smiling, "he'll take good care of her. I've always thought they were the cutest together. And now, being in junior high, their friendship might turn into more, if you know what I'm saying."

Sam shook his head, laughing, "like that would ever happen!"

Jo just smiled and returned to her coffee.

There! Yay!

Again, please review! I'll be waiting… *Stares blankly at computer*

Hugs and Kisses,

Tic-Tac  ^_~